Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), and National Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), have assured their clients of safety of their cargos.
This came on the heels of the approval by Dikko Inde Abdullahi, comptroller – general, Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) on Tuesday for the closure of two cargo bonded warehouses located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA),
NCS accused the two companies of inability to explain exit of goods from the warehouse without proper documentation and clearance by the Customs and lack of evidence of payment of import duty and other statutory charges by the companies.
Mrs Thelma Williams, public relations officer, Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, disclosed the development and said the action was a follow up to series of meetings between the Customs Area Comptroller Mohammed Dahiru Umar with all Stakeholders, including cargo agents and freight forwarders association.
She said the command acted on the approval of the comptroller general in line with the statutory powers conferred on the Nigeria Customs Service as provided under sections 145(1) (b) and 5 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN 2004, (as amended) and other extant regulations.
Williams cited others reasons for the closure of the warehouse such as the attendant loss of revenue accruable to the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as its National Security implications.
She said:" The refusal of the companies to comply has brought about Un-conducive working environment in these warehouses which militates against Officers and Men of the Command discharging their statutory duties effectively.
"Upon the aforementioned contraventions, the Area Command has no other option than to invoke the provisions of Sections 88,96, and 98 (4) (b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN 2004 (as amended) and other extant regulations and SEAL UP the Warehouses to ensure and enforce compliance."
Mr Basil Agboarumi, head, Corporate Communications of SAHCOL, in his response said that there was no doubt that "we are custodians of the warehouse, no goods can move out of our warehouse without the approval of the Customs.
“However, meetings/discussions are going on between the Handling Companies, Custom Licensed Agents and the Customs to find solution to this".
Also reacting to the closure, Mr Adesanya Onayoade, head, Corporate Communication of Nahco, said that the company was working with the Customs to enable a sanitization exercise that will ultimately improve service delivery and block all revenue leakages.
He that in the meantime, the Management of Nahco is already in consultations to ensure among others that: Sterile areas in the warehouse are restricted to unauthorized people; only licensed customs agents with access cards are allowed in the warehouse; all forms of touting are eliminated around the Nahco cargo complex; men of the Customs Service are given all support to ensure full compliance with cargo clearing process in the warehouse and all accredited government agencies are given adequate support to ensure security and safety.
He concluded:"We assure all stakeholders that by the time the warehouse is reopened, there will be seamless service delivery, adequate security and less crowd and full compliance with payment of duties by licensed customs agents".
